Omar Tabsh

Barrister and Solicitor from Calgary. Flickr:

[Shane Martínez @martinezdefence]

Israeli legal exceptionalism produces remarkable contradictions in Canadian foreign policy. Canada fulfills its international legal obligations when it is politically advantageous to do so. But when the Israeli military is at the centre of the issue, Canada refuses to uphold the rule of law.

Article 6(3) of the Arms Trade Treaty requires Canada to not authorize conventional arms transfers to a receiving party if at the time of the authorization Canada is aware that "the arms or items would be used in the commission of genocide, crimes against humanity, grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, attacks directed against civilian objects or civilians protected as such, or other war crimes as defined by international agreements to which it is a Party."

Canada imposes a comprehensive sanctions regime on Russia, with a two-way arms embargo covering every sector of the arms trade being one of its central features. This prohibits persons in Canada and Canadians abroad from exporting arms and related material to Russia. It also prohibits the provision of any services to Russia which would bolster Russia’s military capacity.

Yet despite the Gaza genocide, countless atrocities perpetrated by the Israeli armed forces, and the ICC investigation into Israel's international crimes, no such sanctions are applied to Israeli arms manufacturers or other individuals or entities involved in the arms trade. In fact, Canadian companies continue to supply parts to Elbit Systems - Israel's largest arms manufacturer.

[Calgary Police @CalgaryPolice]

Parker's parents have asked us to share this invitation in hopes communities near and far will join them in honouring his memory. During the weekend of August 8 to 9, 2026, take an Adventure Walk wherever you call home, with family, friends and loved ones. 💙

[Omar Tabsh @tabsho]

@travelaw64 @ctvedmonton This is such a shit take. Claiming the RCMP is targeting them because of religion is the take of someone too intellectually lazy to distinguish scrutiny of conduct from persecution of faith. You are not making a serious legal argument. You are just avoiding the facts.

[Omar Tabsh @tabsho]

@cenkuygur I’m surprised to see the responses and endorsements Americans are giving this. Under FIFA’s own rules, the USA should be expelled for political interference. Instead, many cheer it because they think American exceptionalism means the rules shouldn’t apply to them. That’s telling.

[Omar Tabsh @tabsho]

@MattDaviesAdams @SOCobhamPod @sammyparkin_ @reallycerys Guessing there's going to be a lot of 🐍 emoji's in the replies.

And they're right. The settlement amount, that both the former manager and Manchester City are both paying separate amounts, and the forced apology say it all. I think he'll be in for some boos when City visit.

[Reuters @Reuters]

Israeli authorities and security forces deliberately targeted Palestinian children, resulting in genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza, and war crimes in the occupied West Bank, an independent UN inquiry said https://t.co/61poVhRzmR

[🇸🇦Abdulsalam Saleh @abdulslam2017]

🚨 For those who want to understand who is obstructing peace and an end to the wars in the Middle East

Let us recall, specifically on September 30, 2024, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York, His Excellency Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi stood at a press conference alongside his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan and Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdel Aty, as representatives of the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee tasked by 57 Arab and Islamic countries, to deliver a message that would have changed the course of the region had it been heard.

Safadi began his remarks by responding to Benjamin Netanyahu, who had said that “Israel is surrounded by those who want to destroy it.” Safadi replied directly:
“He is the one creating this danger, because he simply does not want a two-state solution.”

He then declared on behalf of 57 Arab and Islamic countries:
“We are here, members of an Arab-Islamic committee mandated by 57 Arab and Islamic countries, and I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt: we are all ready now to guarantee Israel’s security, within the framework of ending the occupation and allowing for the establishment of a Palestinian state.”

Yes, 57 Arab and Islamic countries clearly stated before the world that they are ready to guarantee Israel’s security.

And it did not stop there; Al-Safadi went on to say:
“All of us in the Arab world want a peace in which Israel lives in security and stability, accepted and normalized with all Arab countries.”

In other words, the Arab and Islamic world did not merely propose a ceasefire, but offered a comprehensive peace formula based on:
Ending the occupation, withdrawing from the occupied Arab territories, and establishing an independent, sovereign Palestinian state within the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in exchange for comprehensive regional security, full normalization, and mutual recognition.

Al-Safadi then posed the question that remains unanswered to this day:
“Ask any Israeli official: What is your plan for peace?”

He added:
“They are thinking only of the first step: destroying Gaza, igniting the West Bank, and destroying Lebanon… and after that, they have no plan.”

He then spoke about the scale of the political and humanitarian destruction left in the wake of the war, saying:
“The current Israeli government has killed 30 years of efforts to convince people that peace is possible.”

He added:
“The scale of the hatred, dehumanization, and bitterness will take generations to overcome.”

In closing, Safadi uttered the sentence that sums up the entire situation:
“We have a plan for peace… but we have no partner for peace in Israel. The partner for peace is in the Arab world.”

History tells us: 57 countries offered to guarantee Israel’s security… Tel Aviv was the one that refused.

[Omar Tabsh @tabsho]

Eid al-Adha Mubarak!

[Omar Tabsh @tabsho]

Israel has murdered thousands of civilians and now Canadians have been illegally detained and abused. Canada responds as it always does, with useless words of condemnation and no real consequences. Our foreign policy is feckless, performative, and utterly unfit for purpose.

[Anita Anand @AnitaAnandMP]

I have just received information from my officials which details the appalling abuse of Canadians who were detained in Israel.

These Canadians have now arrived in Türkiye. Global Affairs consular officials on the ground are ensuring that they receive urgent medical care as required so that they can return home as soon as possible.

Canada unequivocally condemns the grave mistreatment of Canadians in Israel. Those responsible for this egregious abuse must be held accountable. We will continue to provide additional information as it becomes available.

[Shane Martínez @martinezdefence]

Despite this abominable treatment, Canada continues to engage in military cooperation with Israel through the Canada-Israel Strategic Partnership. This includes joint training, intelligence sharing, and material procurement.

Performative outrage with zero consequences.

[Avi Lewis @avilewis]

It’s a relief to hear the Prime Minister express some moral outrage over Ben-Gvir’s brutish behaviour, outrage which has been missing during Israel’s attack on Iran, bombardment of Lebanon and ongoing genocide in Gaza.

But strong words must be followed by strong action. Sanctioning individual ministers is not enough when this cruelty is mirrored in Israeli state policy. Close the loophole on arms sales, cancel the free trade agreement and use every tool in Canada’s diplomatic arsenal to end Israel’s impunity.

[Heidi Matthews @Heidi__Matthews]

It’s only when Netanyahu himself has already denounced Ben Gvir that @MarkJCarney speaks out. Yet Palestinian captives are tortured, harassed and sexually abused daily. Canada must denounce the wider system of Israeli detention practices as an instrument of illegal occupation.

[Omar Tabsh @tabsho]

Get out of my club you genocide loving sicko.

[Daniel Finkelstein @Dannythefink]

@miffythegamer The drones do not target children. But obviously they do kill children. If you think Israel targets children then you misunderstand what is happening and you need to review what you think. Of course children are dying, but Israel is targeting Hamas.

[Omar Tabsh @tabsho]

@SOCobhamPod The news just missed the last pod by minutes, eh? In hindsight, Liam wasn’t the calibre of manager the club needed after Maresca. That said, it’s not all on him. Summer recruitment played a big role, and we didn’t improve enough to keep up with the competition.

[Omar Tabsh @tabsho]

@SOCobhamPod @MattDaviesAdams @liam_twomey @reallycerys @CWeatherspoon_ Fire everyone

[Ali Rida Sbeity @AliRida_SB]

The "Hezbollah" targets hit today by Israel:
📍 A funeral in Shmistar
📍 A Mosque in Saida
📍 A cafe for taxi commuters in Ouzai
📍 A local grocery shop in Ouzai
📍 A traditional bakery
📍 A shop in Rahab Market
📍 A house in a crowded street in Hayy el-Sellom
📍 A car wash in South Lebanon
📍 A grocery shop in Hayy el-Sellom
📍 A pharmacy in Mount Lebanon
📍 A civilian buildings

[Alex Neve @AlexNeve24]

Whether or not Lebanon is part of the ceasefire is not the issue. Though it is cruel, calculating & disingenuous to pretend or assert that the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon, particularly as this carnage unfolds.

That this is a vile & despicable violation of international law, a callous disregard for the lives & safety of civilians; that is the issue.

@MarkJCarney & @AnitaAnandMP, here's what we need:

- We need more than a reminder that international law applies and should be respected by Israel. We've heard that over and over again; to no avail.

- We need more than a condemnation that Israel's actions violate those international obligations. We've heard that from time to time, much less frequently and never particularly forcefully; again to no avail.

- We need consequences: trade, sanctions, arms, criminal investigations, action at the UN; that is where we have consistently come up short. That is how we demonstrate that we mean it.

https://t.co/OklB0apRED

[Omar Tabsh @tabsho]

Spain and France’s stances are admirable, but if it’s intolerable, then do something about it. Rally your allies together and do something, anything, to stop the senseless unabated massacring of civilians.

[Pedro Sánchez @sanchezcastejon]

Justo hoy, Netanyahu lanza su ataque más duro contra el Líbano desde que empezó la ofensiva.

Su desprecio por la vida y el derecho internacional es intolerable.

Toca hablar claro:

- Líbano debe formar parte del alto al fuego.

- La comunidad internacional debe condenar esta nueva violación del derecho internacional.

- La Unión Europea debe suspender su Acuerdo de Asociación con Israel.

- Y no debe haber impunidad ante estos actos criminales.

[Pedro Sánchez @sanchezcastejon]

Justo hoy, Netanyahu lanza su ataque más duro contra el Líbano desde que empezó la ofensiva.

Su desprecio por la vida y el derecho internacional es intolerable.

Toca hablar claro:

- Líbano debe formar parte del alto al fuego.

- La comunidad internacional debe condenar esta nueva violación del derecho internacional.

- La Unión Europea debe suspender su Acuerdo de Asociación con Israel.

- Y no debe haber impunidad ante estos actos criminales.